Non-governmental organizations that supported the candidacy of Dragoljub Duško Vuković for a member of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AVMU) expressed "serious concern" over the statement of Europe Now MP Jelena Nedović, who, as they said, "practically sent a message that the Council should have a suitable representative of the NGO sector."
They said they "still stand firmly" behind Vuković's candidacy.
They said that the position of the PES MP "proves that the parliamentary majority is trying to politically capture one of the most important institutions in the media system, contrary to the law and European standards."
"We remind you that the media laws adopted in June 2024, within the so-called IBAR package, created the basis for a professional and independent Agency, which the European Commission recognized by temporarily closing Chapter 10 - Information Society and Media. The European Commission's Report clearly states that the process of appointing members of the Council must be fast, transparent and free from party influence, and that no changes to the law that would jeopardize the independence of the Agency for AVMU and RTCG will be tolerated. This has been adequately recognized and supported in Brussels and initiative of more than 100 NGOs "who, half a year ago, warned of attempts by the authorities to take full control over the AVMA and RTCG advice through legal interventions," the statement reads.
They said that Vuković, the candidate of independent NGOs in the field of media, is recognized as a professional with integrity and continuity in defending the public interest.
"He remains a candidate until the procedure is completed in accordance with the law. We regret that the government, instead of showing responsibility for a country that is in the final stage of European integration, is repeating patterns of political control of institutions, identical to those for which we previously, even together, criticized the previous government," they added.
They called on the parliamentary majority to "immediately end the obstructions that have been going on for 15 months" and to enable transparent, legal and fair elections of AMU Council members.
"This also implies full respect for the autonomy of authorized proposers - non-governmental organizations, CANU and the PEN Center - to independently decide who represents them in the Council. Only in this way can an independent and functional Agency be ensured, crucial for media development, protection of the public interest, but also Montenegro's progress towards EU membership," they said.
They say that, "in order to preserve their integrity and respect for our candidate Dragoljub Duško Vuković," they will not not to enter into any trade with the deputies.
"We believe that his experience and professionalism guarantee that the AVMU Agency Council will remain independent from party pressure, in accordance with the law and European values. For those MPs who put the public interest ahead of narrow party interests, that should be enough to vote for him."
The statement is signed by: Goran Đurović (Media Center), Olivera Nikolić (Media Institute of Montenegro), Daliborka Uljarević (Centre for Civic Education), Milka Tadić Mijović (Centre for Investigative Journalism), Mila Radulović (Society of Professional Journalists of Montenegro), Mustafa Canka (NGO "Ul Info"), Zdravko Janjušević (Bijelopole Democratic Center), Željko Đukić (NGO Multimedia Montenegro), Nataša Nelević (NOVA - Center for Feminist Culture), Muamera Muslić (NGO Đakomo Adriatic), Boris Nedović (NGO Center of the North) and Radomir Petrić (NGO Sua Sponte Bar).
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